“Yes. That would please me.” Oriana reached toward my trembling sister, first resting her golden fingers on Sadie’s chin, then trailing them down her neck and breast, leaving a violent red ribbon in their wake. “I only hope it won’t be too late.”
I nodded, both appreciating that Oriana had given us a warning and terrified that she’d felt the need to do so. One thing was certain—I needed to convince Sadie to play nice with the rest of the Elementals, and the sooner the better.
20
After the near-debacle of Sadie’s outright refusal to swear fealty to the queen, we left the Golden Court as soon as we could shove our way out the door. Due to Sadie’s position sandwiched between Micah and me, it seemed that no one, save the three of us and the Gold Queen herself, had realized that the Inheritor of Metal hadn’t completed her oath to serve Oriana, probably because the queen’s bloodied fingers had left a noticeable red stain on Sadie’s neck and breast. At least, no one had made mention of any lack of pledging on Sadie’s part within our hearing.
Instead of levying accusations of indifference or worse, treason, as the three of us descended from the dais we were pelted with comments and well-wishes, along with invitations to dinners and dances and all sorts of glorious rendezvous. Well, Micah and Sadie were pelted; I might as well have been carrying the bags.
“It was like no one even saw me,” I grumbled. Once we’d returned to the manor, Sadie had gone off to boil herself in a bath, while Micah and I removed our formal attire and washed up in a much calmer fashion. Since we’d left directly after the pledging ceremony, it wasn’t even time for dinner, and Micah had promised me another lesson in swordplay before nightfall. “And where were the others of copper?”
“We left quite early; perhaps they arrived afterward,” Micah murmured. He paused to dab a bit of ointment on the cut above my heart. “And, love, when an invitation is extended to me, it is naturally assumed that my consort shall accompany me.”
“Assumed.” You know what happens when…I shook my head, unwilling to explain why that was such a bad idea. I pulled on a T-shirt and sat on the bed in order to tie my shoes. “So, I’m expected to just follow you everywhere? Because that’s what consorts do?”
“If you do not wish to attend a particular event, you may remain in the Dell,” Micah replied. “No one is forcing you to attend any functions, Sara.”
I don’t know what was more irritating—Micah’s blasé attitude or the fact that I really did want to go to at least some of the parties. I just wanted to be more than arm candy. “If I was your wife I bet I’d get my own invitations,” I pouted.
“Most likely,” Micah agreed, “but that has not happened yet.” Oh, yeah? I’ll make it happen. I stood and grabbed the coverlet, shoving half of it into my shirt.
“See?” I turned to the side, showcasing my falsely burgeoning belly. “Wife here. Now people will pay attention to me, too.”
“This,” Micah murmured, stepping forward, “is unnecessary.” He withdrew the wadded-up coverlet, then smoothed down my shirt. “Soon enough, your belly will swell.”
“Micah.” I grabbed his hand, but I couldn’t manage to say anything further. When he spied a certain blue glass bottle on my dressing table, it turned out that I didn’t have to.
“Is this something new?” he asked, picking up the unfamiliar bauble, his eyes widening as he read the label. “Sara, where did this come from?”
“I bought it. In the village.” I dropped my eyes; even though I hadn’t done anything wrong—hell, I hadn’t even uncorked it yet—it felt like the bottle’s very presence was a betrayal.
“Have you taken any?” he asked quickly.
“No.” He blew out a relieved breath, and I tried not to wince.
“Sara, my Sara,” Micah murmured, gathering me into his arms. “Please, love, you must be more careful. Whoever sold this to you did not explain its true purpose.”
Micah—trusting, genuine Micah—assumed that I’d bought the extract because it smelled nice, or because the bottle’s color was pretty. “I know what it’s for.”
“Sara—”
“I don’t want a baby,” I said in a rush. At that his entire body drooped, and I regretted my words. No, no I didn’t; the truth is better. More painful, but better. At least, that’s what they say.
Who are they, anyway?
“Not ever?” Micah asked softly, his hand cupping the nape of my neck. I felt the disappointment in his voice; truly, Micah’s strongest, most heartfelt desire was for an heir.